Luke AFB cancels air show, cites defense budget cuts

An air show scheduled for March 16 and March 17 at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Ariz. has been canceled, base officials said in a release.

The air show, Storm on the Horizon, was also going to feature an open house on the base.

“While I value the importance of this event to both the Air Force and our local community, given the budgetary pressures and expected repercussions if sequestration goes into effect, we need to cancel this year’s Luke Days,” said Brig. Gen. Michael Rothstein, 56th Fighter Wing commander in a release. “I cannot in good conscience spend some of our limited resources to host an open house, while the Defense Department considers potential civilian furloughs.”

Rothstein said it was especially hard to cancel the open house because of the massive support the base has received from Glendale residents.

The base is taking steps to enure that tax dollars do not go to waste, the release said.